Laslovich: Experience, results show qualifications for auditor

The Montana state auditor leads an office that is often overlooked or misunderstood, even though its insurance and investment work impacts every single Montanan. I’ve spent the past seven years serving as the top lawyer in the office and in that time, I’ve had the absolute joy of helping Montanans in every corner of our state. I've been in the trenches fighting for you, and I'm ready to put that experience to work as your next state auditor.

My career has been dedicated to consumer protection, which is exactly why I love the work of the office. Over the past seven years, our office has returned an average of $3-$6 million per year to Montanans whose claims were denied by insurance companies, and we’ve returned nearly $400 million to victims of securities fraud during that same time period. Whether you're a senior citizen who has been defrauded of your hard earned savings, someone suffering from a chronic or terminal disease whose insurance company has denied a procedure your doctor believes is necessary, or a family fighting an excessive bill from an air ambulance company, I’ve been on the front lines standing up for you.

In addition to overseeing the insurance and investment industries, the state auditor has the important duty of sitting on the Land Board. Unlike my opponent, who has been an ardent supporter of transferring control of public lands, I will strongly resist efforts to sell off and privatize Montana’s public lands and make sure we protect and expand access to the lands, rivers and streams that belong to all of us. As a native Montanan and father, I know the importance of maintaining that access now and for generations to come.

My experience and record of results are why I’m supported by the Montana Chamber of Commerce, groups representing Montana's working families and conservation groups. For me, it's not just wanting to do the important work of the office, it's knowing how to do it. I'll hit the ground running on my first day in office and I'll put my unmatched bipartisan record to work in passing a bold legislative agenda in 2017.

It's an agenda that includes working together with providers, patients, and insurers to bring transparency to our health care system, allowing Montanans to make informed choices, and stabilizing the cost of keeping our families healthy. We shouldn't have to wait for our insurance company to tell us the cost after a medical procedure. This will put downward pressure on premiums, which is critical because the trend of high premiums we're all paying is unsustainable and unacceptable.

I will also continue the important work of the Air Ambulance Working Group I chaired this year, which will ensure Montana families aren't saddled with crushing medical debt due to an emergency flight.

Ultimately, this race is about experience, results and two dramatically different visions for Montana. I'm respectfully asking for your vote so I can get to work fighting for you.

——

Jesse Laslovich is a candidte for Montana state auditor.